I'm a new member here. I picked up some vintage 1930's Leedy gear and wanted to see if I could get some specific help with restoring these drums and hardware.
I was told these had been used by a professional drummer in the mid 30's. They had been donated to a church by family members. They are in need of some TLC, but surprising good shape for it's age -- no real dings or scratches, but has some rust on the hoops and tension rods, needs heads, and a snare tension rod and a couple of clips for the hoop are missing, etc.
The bass is 26". The bass badge says Leedy Reliance, Elkhart, Ind. The 14"x5" snare hoop says Leedy, Elkhart, Indiana. I almost didn't see it at all as that area has the worst rust.
I assume the paint on the snare is original. Can anyone verify that? I'm pretty sure that shell is brass. There is a small area the size of a pen mark where the paint is missing and it looks like brass. There is some also tarnishing on the shell by one of the lugs where the paint has cracked.
Any info and hands on insight for cleaning up similar era drums would be appreciated.
The tube lugs look like brass. The hoops may be, but I need to see them in better lighting.
The bass has dirt on it and needs a soft cleaning. The heads are calf skin and it sounds pretty good. I peeked through the air vent and it has Re-rings.
The bass pedal and snare stand are rusty. The bass pedal has an attachment that has a little ball at the end. It seems like it may be used to hit something else when you hit the bass, or may have been used to also hit bass as there are some marks on the head where it may have been a 2nd beater the size of a small acorn.
I'm thinking the snare stand may be brass too. They are pretty much frozen in place due to the rusty, I was only able to just barely move the clamp to expand the legs. But, I can see a small area where the wing nut and clamp were and it looks brassy.
There is an old maracca, some sticks including a pair of short ribbed ones, and brushes.
There is a 13" china cymbal and 10" splash. the China has an ink stamp that says Made in China. Both have some sort of hihat clutch type hardware.
There is an extra clamp that attaches to the bass hoop and some rods and another clamp that must be for a cymbal to attach to the bass clamp I just mentioned. Anyone know what the half moon shaped piece of medal attached top the bass hopp would have been used for?
I am excited to get the snare in working order. I heard a guys 1920 COB and it was the best snare I ever heard. I'm hoping this one will be similar, but suspect it will be differnet since this one has paint instead of chrome or nickel.
I would love more info on these drums, value as is, and restored value.
Comments and suggestions are appreciated!!!
Pics are below: